IT: Chapter Two Review

Let me get straight to the point, which this film refuses to do; this movie is just way too long. The runtime of IT: Chapter Two clocks in at a ridiculous and laborious 170 minutes, which seriously affects the enjoyment of this film. Audience viewers should know well in advance what they’re signing up for before going in to this one. This is the first film in a long time, that I kept checking the time on my phone wondering how much of my life had been given up to this film. Which I never do! 

This is by no means a bad film, but it shoots itself in the foot by dragging things out for so long and eventually devalues all the positives and groundwork laid in the first act of this film. The opening five minutes are superb, it is an incredibly dark and cruel way to get things started and Andy Muschietti sets an intriguing opening tone. 

This sequel is set 27 years after the first IT film, and reunites the Losers Club. All of them have moved away from their home town of Derry, Maine except for the obsessive Mike who has spent the duration between the two films trying to find out everything about that scary ass clown. Bringing two generations of characters together here was fun, with strong performances across the board. I thought the new additions were great, and James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain and others bring it. However, I thought Bill Hader and his younger version, Finn Wolfhard (kid from Stranger Things) stood out. Overall, there was a right balance between the younger and older casts, with audiences managing to spend an appropriate amount of time with each.

Of course, most people reading this review will want to know about the terrifying Pennywise played by Bill Skarsgard. He’s back as creepy and as horrifying as ever, and when he’s on screen there’s just a whole different type of energy. Even as I’m typing this out I’m finding myself cringing at that weird drooling thing he does with his eyes going outwards at the same time. Ok, I’m done. 

The plot revolves around the elder cast members having to revisit elements of their past and having to retrieve objects to sacrifice in a fire in a mystic jar. No, I’m not joking. The film completely loses track of itself when it ventures down the fantastical avenue, and, frankly, the story in some parts was completely absurd. Unfortunately, this movie’s strengths are over used as well. The long runtime means we get a lot of Pennywise trying to scare us, and surprisingly, by the end we just get used to him being there and doing weird shit. The first few times Pennywise does his thing I genuinely jumped out of my chair, but the shock element is unsustainable in a near three hour film. 

This is really just a middle of the road type of film. I don’t even think fans of the first will be in love with this sequel but I don’t think they’ll be up in arms either. So much fat could have been trimmed here and I’m not upset, I’m just disappointed. There’s absolutely no need for an IT: Chapter Three and hopefully there won’t be one. Pennywise, it’s been fun but thanks but no thanks.s